Recently, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the unemployment rate in the mainland increased significantly in the first quarter, especially among young people, which has attracted widespread attention. Faced with the reality of rising unemployment, the official explanation given is that it is mainly due to the reluctance of young people to work in traditional factories.
However, this statement immediately caused a strong reaction on the Internet, and a large number of netizens expressed strong dissatisfaction and doubts. The reason for this is that young people are reluctant to enter the factory, which reflects the structural problems in the process of transformation and upgrading of the mainland's manufacturing industry, and also exposes the difficulties faced by young people in the current employment system.
How to correctly view and respond to the reality of the increasing employment pressure of young people, and make it a driving force for promoting high-quality economic development, rather than a resistance, requires the joint efforts of all sectors of society.
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The reluctance of young people to enter factories is due to the growing structural contradictions
According to the official version, the reluctance of young people to enter factories has led to the emergence of a structural contradiction between supply and demand in the labor market. Indeed, in the context of the rapid economic development of the mainland, the demand for front-line workers in the manufacturing industry continues to grow.
However, due to the improvement of education level and the change of values, a large number of young workers are reluctant to work in traditional factories, which has led to a shortage of blue-collar skilled workers to a certain extent.
We need to realize that the reluctance of young people to enter the factory is not entirely subjective, but the inevitable result of the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. On the one hand, the development model of traditional manufacturing industry relying on the advantages of low-cost factors is unsustainable, and many labor-intensive enterprises are facing transformation pressure.
The employment environment and conditions of such enterprises are difficult, and they rely heavily on cheap labor, making it difficult to attract well-educated young people. On the other hand, the emerging high-tech industry has relatively high requirements for qualified personnel and requires a large number of professionally trained skilled workers, while the mainland's talent pool in this area is still relatively weak.
Therefore, behind the selective employment of young people, it reflects the pains of the mainland's industrial restructuring, and there are certain structural contradictions between the two. It would be too simplistic to blame the increased pressure on young people to find employment because of their choices, and it would not solve the problem at the root of the problem.
The crux of the problem that plagues young people's employment is the irrational employment system
In the eyes of netizens, the reason why young people are reluctant to enter the factory is not simply a matter of personal preference, but the structural irrationality of the current employment system.
The working environment in the factory is difficult and the pay is low. A large number of netizens reported that ordinary workers work hard and long hours, but their income is low, and it is difficult to meet basic living needs. Some traditional factories have problems such as illegal overtime and wage arrears, which violate labor laws and regulations and harm the rights and interests of workers. This has undoubtedly seriously undermined the attractiveness of workers' jobs.
There is limited room for promotion and development prospects. Ordinary workers face a low social status and a relatively single career development path, and it is difficult for them to obtain greater income promotion and career development through personal efforts. Young people are hungry for more diverse development opportunities.
Discrimination in employment persists. Some factories still have employment discrimination such as household registration and gender, and priority is given to male migrant workers and other groups. The adoption of restrictive measures for women, highly educated groups, etc., has led to more obstacles in the job search process.
The system of protection of labor rights and interests is not perfect. There are various phenomena that infringe on the rights and interests of workers, such as excessive overtime without overtime pay, frequent arrears of wages, and dismissal of employees without reason, and there is a lack of effective supervision and restraint mechanisms.
The accumulation of these problems has seriously affected the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of grassroots workers, and is not conducive to guiding and retaining talents, thus discouraging young people.
Improve the employment system so that the potential of young people can become the driving force for economic development
In the face of the increasing pressure on young people to find employment, we must face up to the deep-seated reasons behind it, adopt systemic reforms to improve the employment system, and let the creative potential of young people become an important driving force for high-quality economic development, rather than an obstacle.
Accelerate the adjustment and upgrading of the industrial structure and create more opportunities for young people to find employment
Actively cultivate emerging industries, such as new energy, new materials, artificial intelligence and other high-tech industries, and transform towards intelligent manufacturing. This will not only provide more employment opportunities for young people, but also fully cater to their career preferences. At the same time, it is necessary to speed up the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, innovate management models, optimize employment mechanisms, and enhance the attractiveness of these industries.
Improve the training system, strengthen skills training and career guidance
Through vocational education and training, we help young people master more professional skills to meet the talent needs of advanced manufacturing. It is necessary to strengthen school-enterprise cooperation, organize students to practice in factories, and provide them with direct job experience. It is necessary to improve the vocational guidance system and provide personalized employment advice according to the characteristics of young people.
Improve working conditions and protect legitimate rights and interests
Establish a standardized working hours system to eliminate excessive overtime. Raise wages reasonably to ensure basic living needs. Establish a good working environment and atmosphere. Improve laws and regulations, improve supervision mechanisms, and strictly prevent the occurrence of violations of workers' rights and interests.
Provide an upward channel and broaden development prospects
Provide career promotion opportunities for grassroots workers through job rotation and internal training. Establish a sound professional title evaluation system, and open up the road of progress for those who are capable. Rationally introduce a competition mechanism, optimize the flow of talents, and let young people have more room to show.
Innovate employment models and expand diversified employment channels
In addition to traditional factory jobs, new forms of employment should also be vigorously developed, such as self-employment, online work, shared employment and other new models, to meet the individual needs of young people. Strengthen career guidance to help young people clarify their direction and choose a development path that suits them.
Today, China is in a critical period of economic transformation, and the younger generation carries the hope of national development. We must focus on the fundamentals and systematically promote the reform of the employment system, so that young people's enthusiasm for work and innovative spirit can burst out, so as to become an important force to promote high-quality development and create a better future for the economy and society.